MFURCC -Chapter 77 A Wrongful Death

Madam Deng hardened her heart and turned her face away, ordering the servants to take Zheng Changsheng away.

His voice gradually faded into the distance. Only when it could no longer be heard did Madam Deng lift her head.

She was afraid that if she saw her son’s tears, she would lose control of herself—and even abandon the task the Empress had entrusted to her.

“Sister-in-law, you needn’t do this. Since Changsheng is injured, you should go tend to him. I alone am enough to receive Yaoyao,” Madam Yuan said, seizing the moment when she saw the pain in Madam Deng’s expression.

Yet Madam Deng, uncharacteristically, replied, “I just took a careful look. It’s only a minor wound. It looks frightening, but it’s nothing serious.”

Then she turned to Liuzheng. “General Ruan, I truly apologize for earlier. I spoke harshly in my panic.”

At a glance, Liuzheng could tell that Madam Deng doted on her son to an almost irrational degree.

When she had injured Zheng Changsheng just now, the look in Madam Deng’s eyes had seemed as though she wanted to stab her with a knife.

And yet now her attitude had shifted so quickly.

Clearly, Madam Deng had some other purpose.

Liuzheng grew even more curious.

Feigning indifference, she said, “It’s nothing. The bond between mother and son runs deep. It’s understandable to be anxious.”

Then her tone shifted. “But that aside, today he aimed a hidden weapon at me. Fortunately, I was able to react in time. If someone else had walked in first, they might truly have been hurt.”

At these words, Madam Yuan felt a chill in her heart.

She realized that Zheng Changsheng had originally intended to target her, only not expecting Liuzheng to be the one entering the door.

Zheng Changsheng was not stupid. He possessed normal intelligence and could think clearly.

It was simply that Madam Deng spoiled him too much—handling everything for him and thinking on his behalf. Even now, at his age, his behavior often resembled that of a child.

Such a person playing with hidden weapons was extremely dangerous.

“Sister-in-law, Changsheng shouldn’t be playing with something so dangerous. How could you let him handle it?” Madam Yuan’s voice turned cold.

“You know the academy no longer allows him to attend. I was afraid he’d grow bored staying at home… Since you’ve said so, I’ll take away his hidden weapons and won’t let him touch them again.”

Madam Deng appeared unusually agreeable.

Madam Yuan was slightly taken aback.

The smile on Madam Deng’s face had already returned to normal.

“I startled you both. Once his wound heals, I’ll discipline him.”

With that, Madam Yuan could say no more.

“Enough of this. Come inside for some tea. The tea and pastries are already prepared.” Madam Deng warmly invited them in, as though the earlier incident had never happened.

Madam Yuan felt something sinister lurking beneath the surface, but Liuzheng had already stepped forward, so she had no choice but to follow.

Inside the hall, tea and pastries were set beside two chairs.

Liuzheng and Madam Yuan sat separately on either side, while Madam Deng took the seat of honor.

“General Ruan, try this peach blossom pastry. It’s my favorite,” Madam Deng said.

Liuzheng nodded and took a bite.

It wasn’t as good as the peach blossom pastry at her grandmother’s courtyard.

Still, meeting Madam Deng’s expectant gaze, she said, “It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad you like it. I’ll have some packed for you to take home later.”

Liuzheng did not refuse.

“Then I’ll trouble you, Sister-in-law Deng.”

“Not at all…”

Madam Deng laughed lightly and began chatting casually about Liuzheng’s life at the frontier.

“It must have been very hard, wasn’t it?”

“At first it was. But I gradually grew used to it.”

“General Ruan truly has a firm will. If it were me, I certainly couldn’t have endured it.”

“You flatter me.”

After a few more idle exchanges, Madam Deng suddenly mentioned someone.

“The daughter of General Shen—Shen Tinglan. Do you still remember her, General Ruan?”

Liuzheng’s brows lifted slightly. “I do.”

Madam Deng sighed. “She’s a pitiful one. After enduring so much hardship, she’s been confined for nearly half a year now over a single mistaken decision, hasn’t she?”

Liuzheng’s eyes darkened faintly with coldness.

“She is not pitiful.”

Madam Deng smiled faintly. “Yes… Compared to someone like me, who has lost her husband, Miss Shen is at least still alive. I have no standing to pity her.”

Liuzheng corrected her. “I mean she is not pitiful. The tens of thousands of soldiers who died because of her are the ones to be pitied.”

Madam Deng’s expression stiffened.

“General Ruan must be joking… When marching to the frontier for war, casualties are normal. Didn’t the Chang Sui Army also suffer heavy losses in several battles?”

Liuzheng smiled gently, though the smile did not reach her eyes.

“The soldiers who fell in the Chang Sui Army died in true service to the nation. Though tragic, their deaths had value.”

“But the ten thousand soldiers under Shen Tinglan’s command died because of her stubbornness. When she realized her mistake, she abandoned them—letting them perish in vain.”

“They died without value. They died wronged.”

“In my view, confinement is too light a punishment. She should repay those ten thousand lives with her own.”

With each sentence Liuzheng spoke, Madam Deng’s face grew darker.

“General Shen’s confinement was decreed by His Majesty. Are you suggesting His Majesty erred?”

“His Majesty does not err. Whether thunder or rain, all are imperial grace. His Majesty must have his reasons for such an arrangement. It is only that my vision is shallow compared to his far-reaching considerations. I merely grieve for those ten thousand soldiers. Sister-in-law Deng must find me laughable.”

Madam Deng felt her anger lodge in her chest. She took a sip of tea to swallow it down.

“Then according to you, General Ruan, Shen Tinglan still should not be released?”

“That is not for me to decide. It is for His Majesty.”

The atmosphere froze for a moment.

Madam Deng quickly restored her smile. “I am but a woman confined to the inner quarters. Naturally I do not grasp grand affairs as you do, General Ruan. I hope you won’t laugh at my ignorance.”

“Of course not. But such remarks are best not spoken outside. They might shake the army’s morale.”

“Ha, it’s hardly that serious.”

“If Sister-in-law doesn’t believe so, you might test it. The families of those ten thousand soldiers still frequently seek justice for their sons.”

Madam Deng’s smile nearly faltered.

Madam Yuan hurried to smooth things over. “I don’t understand any of what you’re discussing.”

“Let’s not speak of this anymore. Try the other pastries… Oh, right, I also had the kitchen prepare some braised dishes. Someone, go fetch them.”

“Yes.”

Soon a maid went out to retrieve the food.

“The brine was made by my own hand. If you like it, General Ruan, take some home. I’ve heard you have several brothers and sisters. Let them have a taste too.”

Liuzheng nodded in thanks.

Before long, the braised dishes were brought in.

Some needed to be cut with scissors into smaller pieces before eating.

A maid moved to cut Madam Deng’s portion, but she said, “No rush. Tend to the guests first.”

“Yes.”

The maid approached Liuzheng and began cutting the braised meat on her plate into bite-sized pieces.

Meanwhile, Madam Deng brought up Dufeng Academy.

“If I recall correctly, that’s your family’s academy?”

“Yes. My grandfather founded it, and my father now oversees it.”

“Oh—that’s wonderful.”

Madam Deng looked delighted, then embarrassed.

“Recently, my Changsheng had a bit of a misunderstanding at his former academy. Who would have thought they’d refuse to let it go and insist he withdraw…”

“I thought since he has such a straightforward temperament, it was only a minor misunderstanding. But I feared he might be bullied in secret later, so I simply withdrew him.”

“But it’s not good for him to stay home all the time. You saw what almost happened just now.”

“If General Ruan would be willing to recommend my son and let him study at Dufeng Academy, I would forever remember your kindness.”

“Although the academy belongs to my family, there is still an entrance assessment. I must ask my father first before giving you an answer.”

“If you’re willing to ask, Sister-in-law will already be deeply grateful.”

Madam Yuan did not want Zheng Changsheng attending Liuzheng’s academy.

He was used to domineering at home and would likely behave the same outside. If something happened, Liuzheng might be implicated.

Her family’s situation was already complicated; she did not want to add to her troubles.

But it was not appropriate to say so now. She thought to herself that she would quietly remind Liuzheng when escorting her out later.

“It’s a small matter. No need for such courtesy, Sister-in-law,” Liuzheng said.

Just as her words fell, she suddenly felt a slight tug at her scalp.

In the next instant, she glanced to her side.

The maid’s scissors had caught a strand of her hair.

The maid immediately knelt. “This servant is clumsy and pulled your hair. Please punish me, General Ruan!”

“It’s nothing,” Liuzheng said.

Madam Deng’s face darkened as she scolded, “Useless thing! You can’t even cut food without hurting General Ruan. She is magnanimous enough not to punish you—why aren’t you thanking her at once?!”

The maid kowtowed repeatedly.

“Thank you, General Ruan!”

Liuzheng adjusted her hair and sat upright. “No need for this. Get up.”

Only then did the maid dare rise, finish cutting the food, and present silver chopsticks.

“Try it and see if you like it,” Madam Deng urged, then said to Madam Yuan, “Sister-in-law, you should try it too. It’s a new flavor I’ve concocted. If you like it, I’ll have the kitchen send you the brine. You can make some for your two children when you have time.”

Madam Yuan nodded and picked up a piece of duck leg meat.

It was tender, perfectly salted, with a hint of sweetness—just to her taste.

Liuzheng also took a bite and praised it repeatedly.

But the next moment, she pressed a hand to her stomach.

Madam Yuan immediately noticed her pallor and set down her chopsticks. “Yaoyao, what’s wrong?”

Liuzheng smiled awkwardly. “It’s nothing… I overindulged last night and upset my stomach. Just now I ate too much again, and now it hurts a bit…”

She looked at Madam Deng. “May I borrow your latrine?”

“Of course.” Madam Deng pointed to a maid. “Take General Ruan there.”

“Yes.”

Liuzheng rose, and Nanny Jiang quickly stepped forward to support her.